Glenavon 0-1 Glentoran
Two changes today for Glenavon, Sammy Stewart got his first start since re-signing for the Club and Adrian Harper came in for Ryan Harpur who dropped to the bench.
Marty Quinn’s Post-Match Interview (Audio)
Glenavon's Sammy Stewart and Glentoran's Jimmy Callacher. ©Russell Pritchard / Presseye
There weren’t too many clear cut chances in the first half as both sides matched formations and cancelled each other out for large spells. Daryl Fordyce had the first decent effort in the 8th minute when he picked up a throw in and turned inside to shoot left footed from 25 yards but he failed to hit the target. Johnny Black’s 22nd free kick from just outside the box took a nick off a defender and curled just past the far post.
Adrian Harper and Richard Clarke were never far apart all afternoon. Photo ©Russell Pritchard / Presseye
Kyle Neill’s 24th minute free kick was into a dangerous area but no-one in a Glenavon shirt made a run across the line of the ball and Elliott Morris was able to gather it easily.
On the half hour mark a good ball over the top by Colin Nixon picked out the run of Fordyce but Andrew Plummer came out to the edge of his area to intercept the ball. In the wet conditions he failed to hold the ball and had to react quickly to kick it clear as it rolled out of the box.
On the stroke of half time Jimmy Callacher crossed for Ciaran Martyn but his initial header and the follow up shot were both blocked.
Andy Waterworth replaced Peter Steele for the Glens at half time and he was straight into the action seconds later as he burst into the Glenavon box and Neill put in a vital tackle to dispossess him. Trevor Molloy went close with a left foot shot in the 53rd minute as he cut in from the right wing and evaded three challenges before letting fly from the edge of the box. Moments later it looked as though Neal Gawley had to score as a great cross to the far post from Jamie McGovern caused total confusion in the Glenavon defence but the former Glenavon player contrived to blast his shot wide when it seemed easier to score.
Glentoran's Ciaran Martyn Scores. Photo ©Russell Pritchard /Presseye
The visitors went ahead 20 minutes into the second half when Ciaran Martyn powered in a header from Johnny Black’s in-swinging corner.
Glenavon almost replied in the 73rd minute when only a brave block by Sean Ward denied Conor Walsh’s shot from 8 yards and Trevor Molloy’s follow up was also blocked. Black then fired a low free kick inches wide with Plummer relieved to watch it fly past his left hand post. As Glenavon piled bodies into the box Morris dropped Neill’s cross in the final minute but he just managed to grab the ball as Miskimmin was winding up a shot.
Teams:
Glenavon: Plummer, Shannon, Neill, Magee, McDonagh, Stewart (Harpur 70), Walsh, Grant (Miskimmin 75), King (Lavery 88), Harper, Molloy. Subs not used: Grieve, Haughey
Glentoran: Morris, Nixon, Black, Clarke, Ward, Martyn, Gawley, Steele (Waterworth 46), Fordyce, Callacher (Gardiner 74), McGovern. Subs not used: Burrows, Taylor, Hill
Referee: Dessie Loughery
Man of the Match Sponsor Jonathan Swift presents Willo McDonagh with his champagne. Photo by the Webmaster.
Glenavon Director George Swift thanks Peter McGeown of National Windscreens for their generous Match Sponsorship. Photo by the Webmaster.
Greetings today to Adam Monkman from Calgary, Alberta, Canada who has started supporting Glenavon since he attended the Coleraine game with Glenavon supporter Billy Fyffe.
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